Question

How is the increasing demand for energy adversely affecting our environment?

Answer 1

The increasing demand for energy adversely affects our environment:-

1. At high altitudes between $15$ kilometers and $60$ kilometers, the atmosphere forms a layer of ozone (${\mathrm{O}}_3$).
2. The ozone layer protects humans and other organisms from the harmful effects of the ultraviolet radiation(UV-rays) of the sun.
3. The reduction of the ozone layer is called ozone depletion.
4. Ozone depletion is mainly caused due to chemicals that are emitted in industrial processes called ozone-depleting substances.
5. The chemicals include chlorofluorocarbons ($\mathrm{CFCs}$), halogens, carbon tetrachloride (${\mathrm{CCl}}_4$), methyl chloroform, methyl bromide, nitrogen oxides etc.
6. This environmental imbalance, created by uncontrolled human activities, has given rise to various environmental problems.
7. The use of fossil fuels like diesel petrol etc., in large amounts, releases pollutant substances that increase heat and pollution to the environment thus affecting the climatic conditions and the environment adversely.